I think Willard Scott was drunk

Every morning I watch the Today show as I am getting ready for work. This morning I was running a little late, and I guess later in the morning is when Willard Scott does his "Happy 100th Birthday" thing. But this morning I am pretty sure Willard was drunk... He was making very weird and random comments about these very old people, and how well they have all held up. The whole thing left me very unsettled. But it got me wondering when we would see Willard's name on the "100th Birthday" segment... turns out he's only 73.... It also made me wonder where in the world this guy came from... I logically turned to IMDB to learn more. Turns out he was an NBC page turned Ronald McDonald... Can you believe it? He was one of the original Ronald McDonald's. So, that's what I have learned this morning. Of course it doesn't answer my original question of: Was Willard Drunk? But, the unanswered questions are often more fun to contemplate.

It's SNOWING!

I know it's not going to stick and there certainly won't be enough for the trees to be coated with it, but it brings hope of things to come! Global Warming be damned! It's SNOWING!!!

Matching people's skills with job functions

I had one of the more painful Starbucks experiences today. I truly believe that people can be matched to their perfect job. When I run my company I will force employees to take personality tests, or submit to handwriting tests to determine their personality traits and then match them to the job that they are best suited for. It would be great if that's what they were trained in, but if not, and I actually like the person, then whatever, I will give them the job they are meant to have. (yeah yeah yeah, all you non-idealists, I hear ya, and I am not listening...)

I believe a sales personality is not something you can learn. You are either born with the ability to sell and relate to all kinds of people, or you aren't. I learned ages ago, as an Intern for Enterprise Rent-a-Car, that I was never meant to deal with the General Public (GP). I remember the moment it hit me. I was saying to this woman "Ma'am, I can't let you rent a car without seeing your license or getting a credit card to put on file. I understand the insurance company is going to cover the cost of the rental, but you are not the insurance company, you are an individual client of theirs. If you decide to go crazy one day and crash this car, I will have no repercussion against you if I don't get your credit card. So, please may I see your card." She quickly asked to see my manager, claiming I accused her of being crazy. I decided at that point, that I wasn't meant to deal with the GP. It's probably been one of the best things I learned from that job, besides my mad skills as a car washer (I can wash a sedan in less than 5 minutes with just a squeegee while wearing nylons and a pair of heels).

I digress...

This morning, I was at Starbucks and the woman who was taking orders from the people in line, and then relaying those orders to the barista had the WORST voice EVER! Close your eyes, I will describe it for you.

Imagine the voice of Janice, that character from Friends "CHANDLER BING" Now, make that voice a man's voice- so it's not quite the same high pitch, but it still has a screech to it...

That was the woman at Starbucks this morning... and yet, her JOB was to use her VOICE all day to relay orders to the Barista. I really really really hope that sometime soon, like tomorrow- they start training her on the coffee machines, because not only was my experience audibly irritating, but I got my coffee and it tasted burnt. I wonder if the Barista became the "relayer," and the Relayer became the Barista, if my morning would have been better? Ponder that... And think about your own job, are you well suited for it?

If you have no idea... here is a link to find out... http://www.careerpath.com/CAREERASSESSMENTQUIZ/careertestingcenter.aspx

Game Night with the Urban Family

Not only have I found a great group of friends in the Urban Family, but they BLOG! LOVE IT! Last week we were invited to Lindsay's "Game Night", we played Apples to Apples, enjoyed some great food and got to meet some really fun new people! You can read all about it on Lindsay's blog here! And yes, mom, I did make the chicken corn chowder in our crock pot. And yes, our crock has a Koozie! Kmart likes to call it a travel case, but we all know it's a koozie! And the crock has a spoon holder on the top, it's probably the best Kmart purchase we ever made! As a P.S. To all Higgins Family reunion attendees, I am bringing Apples to Apples for next year!

Christmas Marketing

I am a marketer, I get that the longer that you extend the sale, or the special pricing, the more product you will move. I don't get why that concept has to ruin the public's chances of enjoying each holiday individually. I was at CVS two days before Halloween and there were already aisles filled with Christmas products. Today I walk by Macy's at downtown crossing and not only has the inside of the store fallen victim to Santa's elves, but the Christmas tree was already being strung with lights. I LOVE Christmas, by far, my FAVORITE holiday. But, for those people who LOVE Thanksgiving, they are getting shafted. Between Christmas and Halloween there is a great holiday that deserves it's own time on the shelves, I know I know, besides food and drink, there is no product to move around Thanksgiving, but that's okay... it doesn't always have to be about moving product people!!! Come on!